Pakistan’s first electric bus service has been launched in Karachi comprising “completely environment-friendly” fleet of electric vehicles.
These buses are capable of covering a distance of 240 kilometers on a charge of 20 minutes. They will take passengers to their destinations between Sindh Archive Complex and Sea View during the trial run.
According to Sindh government, the electric buses will hit the roads for commuters after 10 days of trial run. The buses will be run on routes with less traffic as they were 12 meters long. The routes of the buses would soon be announced, he added.
MM News joined the test run to come with answers the citizens might have in their minds.
Initially, 50 electric buses have arrived in Karachi. These new buses are capable of traveling up to 300 kilometers on a single charge, and the batteries will be charged via solar energy and the company responsible for the project will also set up the centers where these buses will be charged.
These electric buses are being imported at twice the cost of hybrid diesel buses. However, setting up a plant in Karachi will reduce the import duty and buses will be available at a lower cost. Moreover, they are cheaper in terms of fuel, which is why the fare of these buses is Rs25.
The citizens, who enjoyed the test ride, appreciated Sindh government for providing such modern transport to Karachiites.
Talking to MM News, Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said these are Pakistan’s first electrical vehicles which are completely environment friendly.
The minister said that the fare of electric buses will be less than the Red Buses, adding that the project would also be extended to other major cities of Sindh.
Project Director Sohaib Shafiq said that these buses had a sitting capacity of 32 people, 35 to 40 people can travel standing whereas it also has two reserved seats for special citizens.
